< previous page page_458 next page >

Page 458
no more than to stop his noise and that someone would come. It was a rather long wait, but at last a man of authoritative manner arrived. The messenger said at once that he came from Lady Alinor with letters for her lord. Instead of instantly opening the gate, as the messenger expected, the man spoke softly through the wicket. Lord Ian had not come, he said, nor was he expected, nor was the lord or lady of the manor at home. Try for his lordship at Bulith Wells, or perhaps he had taken the road east to Leominster or Worcester.
''He said at Powys he was coming here."
Even in the dim light, the messenger could see that the man's face was tense and troubled. Nonetheless, he only shook his head positively. "Perhaps he heard on the road that the keep was empty. He is not here, and I will allow no one to enter."
Before the messenger could protest that he needed rest and food and shelter, that any man from Lady Alinor had a right to so much in one of the lady's keeps, the wicket slammed shut. For a moment or two he stood staring at the blind door, with the realization creeping in on him that the whole thing stank to high heaven. Why should the guard not have said his lord was away? How could a messenger be denied a night's lodging even if only serfs lay in the keephe was only one man, how could he endanger anyone? Wales was a mad place. Who knew what had happened at Clyro Hill? The messenger did not remount his horse. He tugged the animal's bridle and walked away toward the shelter of the woods, carefully keeping the beast between him and the wall. Probably no arrow would fly out after him. If they had wanted to kill him, it would have been easier to let him in and fall upon him there, but he would take no chances.
Once out of range, he did remount, but now he did not know where to go. Should he ride back to Monmouth in all haste and tell his lady this strange tale? But what if it was true? What if Lord Ian were at Bulith

 
< previous page page_458 next page >